In 2016, Hanover Shoe Farms and Standardbred Horse Sales Company became major sponsors of an interesting new European trotting series, the Super Cup Trot. The concept was to hold eliminations in four different countries (Germany, Sweden, Austria, and the Netherlands) to qualify for a big Final at Trabrennbahn Mariendorf (link: https://rennbahn-berlin.de/trab) racetrack in Berlin, Germany on the same weekend as the German Trotting Derby. Entries were restricted as to earnings, in order to prevent a competitive advantage for Swedish horses that regularly race for significantly higher purses. The races and sponsorships were promoted by my friends Sebastian Behrens, assistant to track owner Ulrich Mommert; and Swedish trainer Jorgen Sjunnesson.
I traveled to Berlin to represent our companies at the races, to attend their yearling auction, and to do a little sightseeing. I stayed at the Kempinski Hotel Bristol Berlin (link: https://www.ihg.com/spnd/hotels/gb/en/berlin/berbb/hoteldetail?cm_mmc=GoogleMaps-_-SP-_-DE-_-BERBB ) along the major commercial boulevard, Kufurstendamm,(known simply as "Ku-Damm"), famous for its shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
Mariendorf racetrack was built in 1913, and has an art noveau grandstand. The big "Derby" weekend was very well attended and structured as a major social event. In addition to grandstand and the usual indoor dining options, a large number of tables with sun umbrellas were available trackside. A pre-racing high fashion show entertained the ladies. An excellent buffet meal and plenty of local beer added to the festive atmosphere.
The winner of the inaugural 2016 Super Cup was German entry #8 Stark Bi, by Toss Out out of an Equinox Bi mare, driven by Rudolf Haller. I participated in the presentation of the winner's trophy and was interviewed briefly thereafter. A special race in honor of Hanover Shoe Farms was won by #10 Iron Steel. I presented the winner's trophy to driver Victor Gentz. The 2016 German Trotting Derby was won by 12/1 longshot Muscle Scott, by Muscle Mass in a 1:56.3f race record. The winner received approximately $150,000. Muscle Scott was driven by Robin Bakker and trained by Paul Hagoort. This was Bakker's third Derby winner, and Hagoort's fourth.
On Saturday evening after a long day of racing and socializing, the racetrack hosted the annual Derby-Auktion (link: https://www.facebook.com/DerbyAuktionBerlin/) of German-bred yearlings. Many had been bred by US stallions. Buyers and spectators continued to enjoy the ambience of their outdoor trackside tables as yearlings were displayed by the track during the auction. The sale topper was $110,000 Il Capo dei Capi by Muscle Hill, first foal from the Varenne mare Revolution Bi, purchased by Austrian stable Stall Antonhoff.
Thereafter I toured some of the major sights of Berlin, accompanied by my Finnish friend Henrikki Halme. Berlin had been almost destroyed in WW2, and now has been rebuilt into a mostly modern city. Among the many cultural sights, we saw the Kaiser Wilhelm Church, partially destroyed in WW2 and preserved as a reminder of the war; the Reichstag, the seat of the German Bundestag; the Brandenburg Gate; remnants of the Berlin Wall; and the old Checkpoint Charlie, which was the only access point between West and East Berlin during the Cold War. We also enjoyed walking in the Tiergarten (link: https://www.berlin.de/en/attractions-and-sights/3560778-3104052-tiergarten.en.html ), a huge sprawling forested park within the city center.
Berlin is a beautiful and fascinating city. I hope to return some time in the future to explore it again.
